[Game Takes] Flames 4 Jets 1

[Bingo]

Game Takes:
Flames 4 Jets 1

Sorry for the delay ... holiday lazy

- Rittich the man
- Gaudreau puts on a show
- Hamonic +4 in beast mode
- Flames topple top team in West.

[Enoch Root]

Good points regarding Gaudreau's backchecking (it has been great for a while now, and the line is dominating), as well as Bennett's compete level in big games.

Interesting to see Kylington's numbers. He easily played his best game as a Flame last night. In fact, he is coming along so well, I am not sure that Valimaki is ahead of him any more.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Good points regarding Gaudreau's backchecking (it has been great for a while now, and the line is dominating), as well as Bennett's compete level in big games.

Interesting to see Kylington's numbers. He easily played his best game as a Flame last night. In fact, he is coming along so well, I am not sure that Valimaki is ahead of him any more.

Enoch, you are higher on Kylington than I am. While I have been skeptical of him for a few year, I have warmed up to his play this year. He's not the roamer without the puck that I thought he would be, and his confidence walking the line is bananas. If Valimaki weren't in the picture, I wouldn't hesitate to keep Kylington in the lineup.

But Valimaki just makes such sharp and quick plays to get the puck out of danger. I am a huge fan of his. I think his fundamentals are solid and is the kind of player who doesn't always make jaw dropping plays, but enables his linemates to play their game.

It's tough to send either of them down. It's also tough to sit either of them as an extra for an extended part of the season.

[Flame19,289]

I like the props for Neal. I thought he played an excellent game last night.

Neal has 85 SOG this season... 10 of them have come in the past two games.

[SeanCharles]

I love our d-core.

Will be interesting to see how all the pieces fit next season and beyond.

Somehow I hope all of Andersson, Valimaki and Kylington are in the top 6 next season.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I love our d-core.

Will be interesting to see how all the pieces fit next season and beyond.

Somehow I hope all of Andersson, Valimaki and Kylington are in the top 6 next season.

That means you are hoping one of Gio, Hanifin, Brodie or Hamonic aren't.

There is only one of those i can see moving forward that would be comfortable not being around any longer.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by transplant99

That means you are hoping one of Gio, Hanifin, Brodie or Hamonic aren't.

There is only one of those i can see moving forward that would be comfortable not being around any longer.

I just like those 3 as long term pieces and think they can all play regularly now.

They have all performed admirably and will only get better with more experience.

Valimaki, Hanifin and Gio are either ahead of the regular development curve for dmen or are elite. Meanwhile Andersson and Hamonic are much needed RHed shots that contribute in many ways. Hamonic is a gritty defensive dman that contributes all over the ice. Andersson is a young up and comer that has a good shot.

IMO I think the team will have to eventually decide between Kylington and Brodie.

They don't necessarily need to decide next season as they can run with all 7 but at some point a decision will need to be made.

Kylington is much younger and has similar attributes to Brodie so I would trade Brodie if it came down to it.

[Strange Brew]

Definitely liked Neal’s game in this one, so just hope the lack of production doesn’t result in him getting frustrated or taking his foot off the gas.

[Enoch Root]

Problem with moving Brodie is the left / right balance

Giordano
Hanifin
Valimaki
Kylington

vs

Brodie
Hamonic
Andersson

You can't just dump Brodie. I think they take another year (after this one) to see how things play out. If they decide to move Brodie or Hamonic, it happens by next year's trade deadline. Or they move one of Valimaki or Kylington (more likely IMO) before the expansion draft (or as part of an expansion draft move).

[Gaskal]

While Valimaki is very good in all situations, Kylington has a higher offensive window, is the better skater and helps the Flames transition game through the neutral zone more. So the slight edge in on-ice performance for me goes to Oliver.

I also believe the pro experience is in Kylington's favor. If the Flames are rewarding Rasmus with ice time and a spot in the NHL after years paying his dues in the A and proving himself on the big stage, then Kylington should be in that same boat. And Rasmus had to displace a respected veteran.

Valimaki's ELC also slides one year more than Oliver's, so I imagine the Flames will want to use this season and next to evaluate Kylington as much as possible at the NHL level before making a decision with their protection list and figuring out their cap situation on D.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Problem with moving Brodie is the left / right balance

Giordano
Hanifin
Valimaki
Kylington

vs

Brodie
Hamonic
Andersson

You can't just dump Brodie. I think they take another year (after this one) to see how things play out. If they decide to move Brodie or Hamonic, it happens by next year's trade deadline. Or they move one of Valimaki or Kylington (more likely IMO) before the expansion draft (or as part of an expansion draft move).

How do you know none of the other lefties can play the rightside?

Hanifin has done it under Peters in Carolina and I know Kylington has played with other left shots while in Stockton (not sure who played the RS).

I'm just saying the plan should be to replace older, more expensive players for younger, cheaper, players with higher upsides.

Considering 5 of our defenceman are LHed and Stone/Prout are not part of the long term plans the prudent move would be to figure out if any of the other lefties can play the rightside to explore all our options.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

How do you know none of the other lefties can play the rightside?

Hanifin has done it under Peters in Carolina and I know Kylington has played with other left shots while in Stockton (not sure who played the RS).

I'm just saying the plan should be to replace older, more expensive players for younger, cheaper, players with higher upsides.

Considering 5 of our defenceman are LHed and Stone/Prout are not part of the long term plans the prudent move would be to figure out if any of the other lefties can play the rightside to explore all our options.

Still requires time. You make sure you're good before you move a key guy out. And that's not happening this year, barring a key injury - and if there's a key injury you're not moving anyone out.

If there is a switch, it's something that gets built on next year. Timeline is still likely as I suggested before.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Still requires time. You make sure you're good before you move a key guy out. And that's not happening this year, barring a key injury - and if there's a key injury you're not moving anyone out.

If there is a switch, it's something that gets built on next year. Timeline is still likely as I suggested before.

I never suggested anyone should be shipped out this season.

I think we need to add not subtract.

[the lemming]

That differential save percentage is an interesting one. I wonder if it is a bit like save percentage where if sustained over a couple of seasons it shows you have a star on your hands. But over a shorter term it may be susceptible to an Alex Chaisson/William Karlsson effects where maybe it shows the players play is a bit of an aberration and they are due for some regression to the mean. Here's hoping this is a case of the former.

Thanks for the write ups Bingo, I always look forward to them.